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Wales Online
3 hours ago
- Wales Online
Family's quest for a fresh start leads to tent life on Tenerife's coast
Family's quest for a fresh start leads to tent life on Tenerife's coast Paola Nigro and her bartender son Joshua Castiglioni left their home near Milan for the Canary Islands three months ago in search of a fresh start amid family troubles Joshua and Paola came to Tenerife three months ago (Image: Tim Merry/Staff Photographer ) What began as a hopeful step toward to a new life in a foreign country, has taken a truly unexpected turn. Adjacent to a road on Tenerife's southern coast in El Médano, a mother and son have made a makeshift home in a green and blue tent. Joshua Castiglioni, 27, a former bartender from near Milan, and his mother Paola Nigro, 63, a former cleaner, sought a fresh start on the Spanish island three months ago due to family upheaval. However, their new beginning has turned into something they never imagined. Currently without their original work documents, they're awaiting replacements. If Joshua finds work, he plans to save up for a rental with solid walls and a roof. Locals in Tenerife recently protested against excessive tourism in the capital, arguing it has made housing unaffordable. Initially trying to settle by a beach across a small highway bridge, the police intervened, forcing them to move. "Here is a free zone," explained Joshua. He also noted: "It's good because the weather is good here, we have the sea. It's easier than Italy, for sure, but it's always complicated for some stuff because you don't have the light." Life is more manageable than in Italy, though certain aspects remain challenging due to lack of amenities like electricity, according to the Express. They rely on public toilets and beg nearby restaurants for food, reports Yorkshire Live. "We ask and they give us something," Joshua shared. "The food is never a problem here. They are so kind, everybody. You're free to be yourself, for sure. You have no rules. After the bridge there's all the rules." In the area, others have fashioned their own makeshift abodes, connected by a path etched into the nearby sand and foliage. One such home even features an al fresco toilet hut. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here Another dwelling sports a front gate that appears to be made from the rear of a wooden dining chair, while some have utilised natural caverns. Joshua remarked: "A lot [of people] live here. We're like a family. Sometimes it's good, sometimes it's not good. It's normal. "Here, it is quiet. The same on the beach, but the police come every time to say 'go away'". His mother, speaking through her son as an interpreter, shared: "I like it. It's like a holiday." Paola aspires to one day own a house, yet she finds contentment in their present living conditions. She relishes the liberty and points out that in Italy, there are a "lot of problems, a lot of rules". She also values the climate and the freedom to go to the sea at her leisure. Marco Gaudio, 51, another Italian native, moved to Tenerife for employment opportunities a year prior after quitting his job in a restaurant kitchen. Roused from a siesta in a tent near Joshua and Paola, Marco chatted with the Express, laid-back and bare-chested. "For the moment, it's ok," he stated. He mentioned that he has a child in Toulouse and is eager to secure employment to offer them a better life. Article continues below When asked about fear, he confidently flexed his biceps and replied: "No problem." Marco, when questioned on boredom, insisted he wasn't bored but expressed a desire to find work.
Wales Online
4 hours ago
- General
- Wales Online
Disabled single mum left £500 a month worse off thanks to benefit cuts
Disabled single mum left £500 a month worse off thanks to benefit cuts Hannah Leonard, who has achondroplasia, a bone growth disorder which causes dwarfism, said she lost working family tax credits and disability tax credits, worth around £500 a month combined under recent benefits changes Hannah Leonard from Rhyl with her six-year-old daughter Darcey (Image: Family Fund ) A disabled working single mother of a disabled child says she feels "penalised for being responsible" as a carer for her daughter with additional needs. Hannah Leonard from Rhyl, mum to daughter Darcey, aged six, said she's been left £500 a month worse off under planned recent benefits reforms. She said it is "not right" that extra help is provided by the state based not only on household income, but also how many people earn that income. She said if her salary working 30-hours a week as a social care practitioner for Denbighshire Council was earned by her and a partner they would be eligible for more benefits via Universal Credit than she is as a single person. Hannah, 41, who has achondroplasia, a bone growth disorder which causes dwarfism, said she has lost out on working family tax credits and disability tax credits, worth around £500 a month combined under recent benefits changes. Sign up for our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here. Hannah says she is in constant joint pain due to her condition, cannot walk far and is worried that Darcey, who does not have the condition, will soon be taller than her and harder to care for. Darcey is autistic, non-verbal, has epilepsy and dysphasia, which affects her swallowing and speech. She communicates through an iPad and attends a local mainstream school with one-to one support. She can walk and run but falls over a lot, said mum Hannah. Darcey, six, loves having swimming lessons and attends a mainstream school with one-to-one support 'It is still a constant struggle because my job is very intense, so by Friday I'm normally just shattered and trying to complete life admin, which there is never enough time for," she said. "My daughter needs constant watching because she climbs. She's always trying to get into something so we're always just on high alert. We're never getting that rest. We're never getting time to breathe. 'I have to consider that as I'm getting older my joints and everything are just getting that bit stiffer. I'm having to deal with my disability as well. So it's just finding that balance of rest and life admin and having to get life done basically. 'My mum's in her late 60s. I'm a single disabled parent, and my daughter's only getting stronger, faster and taller. Not only do I think we need (outside support) for ourselves, but she needs it. We're her safe space but she needs to go and be with other people in the outside world, not rely on us. I think she needs to learn to communicate with other people.' 'When Darcey first started going to the after-school club, I was literally in panic mode. It's not just her autism, she's epileptic as well. Although, touchwood, we've not had a seizure in a very long time, there's always that heightened anxiety. Even if she was a neurotypical child, you'd still panic. "Someone else looking after your child with additional needs is a scary prospect but sometimes it's needed. I am very careful with my money, but it's not only the general costs of living that are increasing, obviously I have to pay for her extra therapy." Darcey receives no regular NHS therapy so Hannah pays £100 a month for two private half hour speech and language sessions for her daughter, as well as £100 for swimming lessons. She says these are essential life skills and not luxuries for her daughter. Darcey is also about to start extra therapy in Liverpool which will add £60 a month in petrol costs. "Things can be a bit tight," admitted Hannah. "I've never not had any money but you know, the constant buying of sensory equipment for her. It's a costly game. As a disabled single mum who has twice been made redundant, Hannah said she needs to keep some savings for emergencies like repairs and any other unforeseen problems. But the cut-off point for extra benefits is £14,000 in savings, a cut-off amount which Hannah feels should be raised. "I'm not willing to let that money go because as a single parent I feel that money needs to stay there to support us if anything goes wrong," she said. "It feels like everything is a battle and still you are penalised. I feel penalised for being responsible. "I am always fighting for things. As a parent of a special educational needs child my anxiety levels are high. Darcey can run like Usain Bolt but falls over. We don't know why but she has bad a balance. "People's individual situations have to be looked at in the benefits system. If I had a partner and the two of us earned my salary between us we would get more help. I could give up my job and live off the state, but I am being responsible." Hannah is also worried that things will get harder, not easier, in the future. She was speaking as a report out on Monday (June 2) from national charity Family Fund says families raising disabled or seriously ill children and young people across the UK are being driven further into debt. The report warns they are unable to meet vital extra caring costs including specialist equipment, utilities, medical appointment travel, food and increased wear and tear on their homes. The Cost of Caring 2025 report includes 145 responses from Wales among 2,300 UK families on low incomes raising disabled and seriously ill children, with 41% of them being lone parent carers. The charity says benefits are not keeping up with the rising cost of living, with 44% of families raising a disabled child unable to meet day-to-day living costs despite receiving disability benefits. The charity adds that 87% of parents and carers have no savings at all and therefore can't replace or repair essential items when they break. Hannah has had to cut down from full-time work to four days a week because of caring responsibilities and appointments for Darcey. Family Fund says its research shows that only 7% of parent carers say they're able to work as much as they would like to as a direct result of caring responsibilities. Hannah has had help from Family Fund who provided her daughter with an iPad to help her communicate. "My daughter will reach her milestones in her own time," said Hannah. "She might never talk, but what I wasn't willing to do is not have for her the means of communication. "Just because she doesn't have a voice does not mean she doesn't understand. As they say, love needs no words. She shows us every day that she loves us and we just have a different life. We just do it a different way. She's a bright little girl who deserves the world and we're just fighting for her to get that.' Family Fund gave over 200,000 grants and "instances of support" to families in 2024/2025 compared to 150,000 last year. Its chief execurive Cheryl Ward said: 'This report highlights stark findings, with no improvement since our 2022 surveys. As caring costs increase for families, barriers to paid work as a route out of poverty remain unchanged, including a lack of suitable childcare. 'Until these challenges are addressed, families raising disabled and seriously ill children can't escape the cycle of living in debt, going without essentials like food, clothing and furniture and experiencing poor mental health. ' Family Fund's survey was answered by 145 families in Wales caring after a disabled child, or children, including Hannah. Others described anonymously the battles they face daily. These are some of the other responses to the survey from families in Wales: 'The household support fund isn't open yet to apply for any support. I keep desperately checking. (My son) has lots of medical equipment and struggles regulating his temperature- this time of year is the worst for us. He has a feed tube that needs charging daily, a through-floor lift hoists, bed and bath seat all electric.' 'I am mentally depressed and tired physically from caring for my two disabled children. I can't concentrate or do any work. I have enough work to do regarding their appointments and forms to do and referrals and medication.' '[We] need childcare that supports and caters to children with SEN. Childminders usually don't want to take on any children with additional needs.' 'I have four disabled children and two of them need help with every single thing daily. I have no sleep and no chance of working.' 'My son chews his clothes and ruins them quickly, so we are constantly replacing everything from pyjamas to tops to coats.' 'They are all incontinent so I'm replacing all the duvets, bedding and actual beds regularly. Between that and keeping them well fed and clothed (they chew their clothes daily) so I am constantly replacing these. My washers and dryers are always breaking down as I literally do 3/4 loads of washing every day.' 'My son is home schooled due to his needs and anxiety. It's such a financial burden to have him home 24 hours a day with all essential bills.' . The Department for Work and Pensions has said it will protect people "who need our support", and that proposed benefit reforms "will mean the social security system will always be there for those who will never be able to work". Five big changes to the welfare system have been announced by the Department for Work and Pensions as the government unveils plans for £6b of benefit cuts. Reforms include stricter eligibility tests for Personal Independence Payments (PIP), payment freezes, and changes to Universal Credit calculations. There will be stricter eligibility tests for PIP. The DWP hopes to save £5b making getting this disability benefit harder. Another part of the plans are payment freezes, with benefits not increasing to match the rate of consumer price index (CPI) inflation. Article continues below There will also be new employment programmes to help more people get into work.. The he plans have prompted concerns from some disability charities as some of the reforms impact disabled people.
Wales Online
a day ago
- Wales Online
Event ends with frantic search for missing child
Event ends with frantic search for missing child RNLI volunteers acted on reports that a 12-year-old child had gone missing with fears they had fallen into the water The view from the all-weather lifeboat as it provided shelter to the inshore lifeboat on their return to the lifeboat station. (Image: RNLI/Cedwyn Rogers ) Welsh RNLI volunteers were called into action after reports that a 12-year-old child had gone missing near the coast. The MAYDAY Picnic funraising event had just finished on Saturday when HM Coastguard tasked the Fishguard crew at 4.07pm. The child had last been seen on rocks at Cwm-Yr-Eglwys, and there were concerns they may have entered the water. Both the all-weather lifeboat Blue Peter VII and the inshore lifeboat Edward Arthur Richardson were launched and began searching the coastline between Dinas Head and Aberfforest. Thankfully, the child was found safe and well by police shortly after the search began and both lifeboats were stood down. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here This was the second launch of the week for Fishguard RNLI and a milestone for volunteer crew members Bryn Smith and Florian Caroff, who each took charge of their first callouts after recently qualifying as inshore lifeboat helms. Cedwyn Rogers, volunteer press officer and crew member, said: 'A service launch coming at the end of a fundraising event is a real reminder of the dedication of both our sea-going and fundraising volunteers. 'Without the support of the community, we couldn't do what we do.' The RNLI is reminding the public of its 'Float to Live' advice a simple set of steps that can help save lives in the water. What to do if you get into trouble in the water The RNLI regularly reminds people that heading to the coast or out on the water is a great way to have fun and stay active. But if you're not careful, it's a lot easier to get into trouble in the water than you might think. Conditions can change quickly and if you're not prepared, you can easily get caught out. This is what you should do if you find yourself in trouble: 'Float to Live' 1. Relax and try to breath normally 2. Tilt your head back with ears submerged 3. Move your hands and legs to stay afloat 4. It's okay if your legs sink, we all float differently' In a coastal emergency, call 999 in the UK or 112 in Ireland and ask for the Coastguard to contact the RNLI. If you need to contact the RNLI for non-emergency situations, you can call 0300 300 9990 (UK), 01 511 9837 (Ireland), or +44 1202 663234 (from other countries). Article continues below
Wales Online
a day ago
- Wales Online
'Sick' new seagull trend sees birds deliberately 'enticed onto roads to be hit by cars'
'Sick' new seagull trend sees birds deliberately 'enticed onto roads to be hit by cars' A charity has claimed there is evidence of people throwing food onto roads to watch seagulls swoop down and be hit by vehicles. WARNING: Contains images some people may find distressing Llandudno's Herring Gulls 'all need an ASBO' (Image: Ian Cooper/North Wales Live ) Bird enthusiasts in Wales have been left appalled by a cruel new "trend" that has emerged, as reported by a local charity. The Foundation for Feathered Friends (FFF) in Caernarfon claims there is increasing evidence of individuals deliberately luring seagulls into traffic by scattering food on the roads, only to watch the birds get struck by passing vehicles. The FFF volunteers have noted a worrying rise in such incidents along the North Wales coastline, with reports suggesting not just youths, but adults too are engaging in this harmful activity. Denise Theophilus, the founder of FFF, said: "We totally support the feeding of wild birds, especially gulls," and "Often they are emaciated when they arrive in coastal communities. But this is not the right way to do it." For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here She continued: "Who in their right mind would deliberately put these birds in danger by making them swoop onto roads to be hit by oncoming cars? "We are aware that children will get up to all kinds of mischief – but adults doing this must have some kind of psychiatric issue. "It's definitely a trend, we're seeing more and more instances of it happening. And it's us that have to pick up the poor gulls wounded by monsters like these." Denise highlighted that volunteers have observed such behaviour in various locations including Abergele, Prestatyn, Rhyl, and Llandudno, reports North Wales Live. With the number of injured birds being cared for by North Wales Wild Bird Care, the sister organisation to FFF, she suspects that this disturbing practice is likely occurring in other areas as well. Denise, a local resident, reported an alarming incident where food was deliberately placed on a street in Rhyl, leading to the death of three gulls hit by cars. Two gulls lie dead next to food that was accidentally or deliberately dropped on the road (Image: Cheryl Jones/Foundation for Feathered Friends ) The birds were found "equidistantly" near the food, with a fourth gull later succumbing to its injuries. She also recalled another disturbing episode involving a group of youths in Llandudno. "One of our volunteers was driving through Llandudno when she saw a group of youths throwing food onto a road," she said. "They were laughing as they watched cars come towards the gulls. She wanted to go back and disperse the kids but her husband didn't want to get involved." Litter blown by the wind is another factor contributing to the perilous situation for gulls on busy roads. Social media videos have also highlighted the dangers posed by carelessly discarded food cartons. However, there's online evidence of clips showing gulls being deliberately lured onto roads. Three gulls lie dead next in Rhyl. Rehab volunteers claimed each were found next to food 'deliberately placed on the road' (Image: Jane Taylor/Foundation for Feathered Friends ) Denise claims such practices have been observed outside schools and in retail car parks. When images were shared online, bird lovers were left "sickened" by the claims. One person labelled the practice "shameful and inhuman", while another deemed it "utterly disgraceful". A man claimed some motorists deliberately target gulls. He said: "I've seen a few birds, mainly gulls, laying in the road that have been run over on purpose." Herring gulls are a protected species and are on the Red List for Conservation. The RSPCA has urged people to be mindful when disposing of edible litter. Gulls will themselves scatter food waste on roads by ripping open bin bags (Image: Georgina Ford ) A spokesperson stated: "Gulls can get a bad rap especially in seaside towns, and sadly are thought of by some as a pest. "However, they are simply wild animals trying to survive in their surroundings, and deserve our kindness and respect. "It's important for people to remember that they are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and it is illegal to intentionally harm any wild bird, except under licence." Article continues below The RSPCA offers guidance on how to live in harmony with gulls:.
Wales Online
a day ago
- Wales Online
Man in critical condition after assault outside nightclub
Man in critical condition after assault outside nightclub A man has been arrested on suspicion of wounding as police have asked anyone with information to come forward The incident took place outside The Tiki Room (Image: Google maps ) A man is in a critical condition in hospital after an assault outside a nightclub in the early hours of Saturday morning. North Wales Police has launched an investigation following the incident outside the Tiki Room. The incident took place outside the nightclub on Sussex Street in Rhyl shortly before 3.10am. In a statement police said the victim sustained "serious injuries." For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here . He is currently in hospital at Stoke Hospital. Another man has been arrested on suspicion of wounding. Police are now appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or has any information to help the investigation, to come forward. Officers are particularly keen to speak to anyone who was socialising in the area at the time. A police statement read: "We are appealing for witnesses following a serious assault in Rhyl. "Shortly before 3.10am on Saturday, May 31, a man was assaulted outside the Tiki Room on Sussex Street and sustained serious injuries. "He has since been transferred to Stoke Hospital and is currently in a critical condition. "A local man has been arrested on suspicion of wounding and remains in custody." Detective Superintendent Rebecca Hughes, senior investigating officer, is appealing to anyone who witnessed the incident to contact police. She said: 'A number of people were socialising in the Tiki Room, and outside nearby the premises, at the time of the incident. 'I am keen to speak to anyone who saw anything, or anybody with information, and would ask them to contact officers at the earliest opportunity. Article continues below 'I would also like to reassure the public that this appears to be an isolated incident, with no wider threat to the public.' Anyone with information should contact officers by calling 101, or via the website using the link below, quoting reference number 25000446263.
